Robert Hesse Faith & Science Conference

FAITH AND SCIENCE CONFERENCE ENHANCED BY ART AND INTERFAITH MYSTICISM
The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER TO SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2026 ROME, ITALY
A JOURNEY INTO GOD’S MYSTICAL LOVE

The first regularly scheduled interfaith, international Faith and Science conference, transitioning between:

  • Physics to Creation,
  • Chemistry to Life,
  • Biology to Consciousness,
  • Psychology to Mysticism.

Culminating in research on Consciousness and Mysticism.

Our goal is to show those leaving their faith and the clergy, scientists, and medical professionals serving them, that current faith and science reinforce each other.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Friday, 11 December
Opening Prayer

  • His Em. Peter Cardinal Turkson

Welcome Introduction

  • David Lorimer, Moderator
  • Deacon Dr. Robert Hesse

MYSTICAL CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

  • Rev. Laurence Freeman

Physics to Creation

  • Dr. Jennifer Wiseman
  • Dr. Bernard Carr
  • Q&A and Dialogue

Chemistry to Life

  • Dr. Kate Adamala
  • Dr. Simon Conway Morris
  • Q&A and Dialogue
    PANEL DISCUSSION OF DAY
    VATICAN OBSERVATORY: VIRTUAL TOUR
    VATICAN MUSEUM, SISTINE CHAPEL

Saturday, 12 December

POPE LEO XIV AUDIENCE, PENDING AVAILABILITY
KABBALA CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

  • Rabbi Harvey Rosenstock
  • Rabbi Laura Kaplan

Biology to Consciousness

  • Dr. Federico Faggin
  • Dr. Harold Koenig
  • Q&A and Dialogue

Psychology to Mysticism

  • Dr. James Finley
  • Dr. Robert Hesse
  • Q&A and Dialogue

Panel Discussion of Day Path Forward

  • Dr. Christina Puchalski

SUFI CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

  • Imam Jamal Rahman
  • Seemi Ghazi

Sunday, 13 December
BORGHESE GALLERY
CHAPEL ST. MARIA DELLA VITTORIA

CONFERENCE VENUE
The hybrid conference will be both webinar and in-person attendance at the 120-seat Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, hotel conference center. It is conveniently located next to St. Peter’s Square.

INTERFAITH PRAYER
Each day will open with a brief instructed practicum of contemplative prayer, a silent prayer, which lends itself to interfaith teaching and practice, since in the silence there is no dogma. This will gently draw registrants into the experience of consciousness and potential mysticism, in preparation for the last presentations on these subjects.

ENHANCING OFFSITES

  • Relevant offsites will reinforce the topics.
  • Physics to Creation: Virtual video presentation on the Vatican Observatory.
  • Chemistry to Life: Sacred music in the Sistine Chapel with the focus on Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.
  • Biology to Consciousness: Tour the Borghese Gallery with focus on Bernini’s sculpture, Apollo and Daphne, symbolic of the birth of the consciousness and free will.
  • Psychology to Mysticism: Tour the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria with focus on Bernini’s sculpture, Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, a mystical experience.

The agenda follows the textbook:

FAITH AND SCIENCE: A JOURNEY INTO GOD’S MYSTICAL LOVE

By Deacon Robert J. Hesse, Ph.D.

A COPY OF THE BOOK IS PROVIDED
AT DISCOUNT WITH PAID REGISTRATION

FOUNDING PARTNERS

  • Contemplative Network
    Chairman & Cofounder
    Deacon Dr. Robert Hesse
  • Scientific Medical Network
    President, Dr. Bernard Carr
    Program Director, David Lorimer

    SUPPORTING AFFILIATES
  • Pontifical University Lateranense
  • Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum
  • Pontifical University Salesian
  • Ctr. for Spirituality, Theology and Health
  • Faraday Institute for Science and Religion
  • Institute for Spirituality and Health
  • Magis Center
  • Courtial International
  • World Community for Christian Meditation
  • GW Inst. for Spirituality and Health
  • Institute for Science and Faith
  • University of St. Thomas
  • Contemplative Life

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